Emotional support animal, service animal, therapy animal.
People mix these up, and some websites profit from the confusion. Here's the honest version.
| Emotional support animal | Psychiatric service dog | Therapy animal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Fair Housing Act (housing only) | ADA, FHA, ACAA | None specific |
| Training required | No | Yes, task-trained for a disability | Varies by program |
| Species | Any common household animal | Dogs (and some miniature horses) | Any |
| Documentation | Clinician letter | Generally none; airlines use a DOT form | Program credentials |
| Housing: no pet fees | Yes | Yes | No |
| Public places (stores, restaurants) | No | Yes | No |
| Airline cabin | Not required since 2021 | Yes, with DOT form | No |
| Registry or certification | None exists | None exists | Program-specific |
What this means for you
If your goal is to live with your animal in rental housing without pet fees or breed restrictions, an ESA letter from a licensed professional is the tool, and we don't sell those. If you need your dog in stores, at work, or in an airplane cabin, that requires a trained service dog. A registration card, ours included, is a convenience item for everyday situations and creates no rights of its own. Be wary of any site that says otherwise, or that sells a "travel ESA letter."